New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Day 1: England in Driving Seat With Centuries for Trott and Compton

England are in a commanding position after finishing on 267/2 at the end of the first day of the second test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Centuries from Jonathan Trott and Nick Compton laid the platform for a substantial first innings score, and with Trott and Kevin Pietersen still at the crease, England will be confident of posting a daunting total when play resumes tomorrow.

New Zealand got the early breakthrough during the first session of the game as English skipper Alastair Cook gave his wicket away, just as he did in the first innings of the first test. Cook gave a simple catch to Peter Fulton at mid-on, another uncharacteristic lapse for a batsman revered throughout the world for his concentration.

However once Cook departed it was one-way traffic, as the Kiwi bowlers' lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed by Compton and Trott. The obdurate pair batted patiently up until tea, but accelerated thereafter as England looked to capitalise on their solid start.

Trott reached yet another test century after tea, and was then followed by Compton as the duo posted a 200-run partnership for the second wicket - the second time in successive innings that England have put together a stand on this scale.

Compton rarely looked like getting out at any time in his innings, but the Somerset batsman eventually fell to left-arm spinner Bruce Martin, edging tamely to Ross Taylor at slip. His dismissal paved the way for Kevin Pietersen, who batted with rare restraint in scoring 18 from 48 deliveries.

The carnage wreaked by the New Zealand bowlers in the first innings of the first test seemed a distant memory here - McCullum tried everything to get a wicket, but his bowlers lack the variety and hostility possessed by top sides, and England will surely be confident of registering a score in excess of 500 here.